This informative book is made up of two separate reports. Although they vary in opinions as to the cause of mental subnormality, they definitely contribute to the understanding of this problem. The author of the first section is a neurologist and psychiatrist who extensively reviews the literature regarding the etiological factors during the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods. He also attempts to inspire the reader so that more research in genetics, biochemistry, and the social sciences can be developed.
The second section is written by a psychologist and an anthropologist who have been closely associated with the problem. They discuss the postnatal psychological and cultural causes of mental retardation in the mildly retarded, which includes the largest percentage of such persons. They also discuss the shortcomings of current psychological tests and their interpretations. Research in medicine, biochemistry, psychology, sociology, and other fields is strongly recommended. This excellent volume has an